Okay, so putting the Rikon vs Grizzly aside… it comes down to the ultimate vs. extreme. This will be my first home shop band saw so of course the money out of my own pocket weighs more since that first jewelry box, some closet shelves, and a few other odds and ends already cost me a few thousand dollars in equipment costs. :D ROI—right?!

Right now there’s a $207 difference between the G0555P (398.00 on special) + re-saw fence (89.95) and the G0555X at ($695)The question is whether the extra $207 is worth it for an extra half HP and 84 square inches more table surface? I don’t care about open or closed stand, or the $20 affixed light. Outside of that, it seems everything else is equal. The only unknown difference is in the wheels wherein the extreme looks to have more weight in the wheels (?) but that is solely a visual observation.

Requirements:1. Re-saw capability (riser is a given)

Yes that’s it—stock > 6 inches… if it can’t do that well then it’s not very cost effective. That pretty much answers the question that $207 is worth it but I’ll entertain dissenting opinion. ;)

John D

-- John D

12 replies so far

Could you go $4 more? The G0513P offers the best of both worlds… 2hp, 17” table(slightly smaller table, yet larger than the Ultimate), 12” Cutting height(same as a C with riser), can support a 1” blade( Bigger than both saws, so better rips and resaws). Only thing is, its Bigger! So that can be good or bad… Its also a Euro Frame, so it wont flex as much as a C frame…(you should see my delta when I tension her up to 25k psi… ever seen cast iron flex like a muscle?)

Believe me, you want all the Horses you can, when it comes to resawing… mine is 3/4hp, and I occasionally bog down cutting 2×4s.. but then again, that was before I stuck a 3/4 inch 4tpi on it… now it cuts everything.. including nearly taking one of my fingertips…opps…

True—nww,But I’m concerned that the 20amp/110 is the peak on my circuit which means no dust collection or the circuit will blow. The re-saw fence is not included but on the plus side—polyurethane tires are included.

I have the GO555 (the green one) with a riser and use it only for resawing. Works well, for me , resawing 12” softwoods and hardwoods. Not fast but does a good job. It definately requires a dust collection system while resawing. Motor size is important.

If both a 1.5 HP and a 1 HP are under consideration and you decide to go with the 1 HP you WILL kick yourself sometime down the road. As long as money is not the overriding decision factor then more power is always the better choice.

You will never regret more HP !!You may regret not enough HP!!I noticed in the description of the G0555X that it says the wheels are upgraded to cast iron, and in the specs it says the wheels are balanced cast aluminum.

You may want to get that clarified if it makes a difference to you.I was looking at the G0555X bandsaw. When I went to purchase it at the showroom it was out of stock. I choked trying to decide if the G0513X2 17” was worth the money. I have never looked back…I love it with no regrets : )This may be out of your price range, but just saying, more is better. Don’t cut yourself short.

I haven’t even MOUNTED the riser kit, yet, but have put a fair number of BF through it, resawing, swapped blades out a time or two, for reasonably delicate curves, and have turned it into my go-to for half the ripping and 25% of the crosscutting in my shop.

I’ve found absolutely nothing to complain with, on the G0555X … except that I probably should improve its dust collection—more the nature of the beast, itself, I’m seeing, than with the specific make/model I bought.

If I had MORE money, I probably would have bought MORE Grizzly BS. I like mine that much.

John: Its not actually that hard to wire in a dedicated circuit, if you feel so inclined… So if it will stay put, that might be an option. I did so for my bench, well rather I tied into an existing circuit, but its not difficult to add the breaker…

I would run it 240v if you have the option. It might it would then eliminate those issues.

Also, a resaw fence isnt hard to make. Kind of like a “cheaterblock” for a tablesaw. Just make a box that fits over the existing fence, then screw on a 1×8.

I have a go555x and love it. Does everything I ask. For little whimpy stuff I have a 9 inch delta. It;s on the same circuit as my 1 hp d/c and never have a problem with the breakers.NBeener is correct though, could use better d/c but them I could say that about other tools in my shop.

So, I pretty much know the answer… as Dustbunny put it… more HP the better well unless we are talking the drag strip then it depends (0-60 on a 1/8 mile off the line will win on ft/lb but 1/4 and HP can take it in most cases) Sorry, I digress into motorcycles—whole other topic.

I was content on the G0555P vs G0555X but now the G0513X2 has me thinking. I had designated an extra breaker in the sub-panel for the Mortising station but maybe I add another for the BS as nww suggested. Dang, options always complicate things.

I have a Go555P as of July and really like it.Griz is a good company even if Asian made equipment, the company is in the States.GO555P has plenty of power for the price which was my major deciding factor. It has done everything I have asked of it. You will need a really good vac system to control dust and the 4” dust collection port location sucks on the GO555’s.The riser is an absolute must and instead of the fence, buy a good blade (Timberwolf or woodslicer) as the OEM is weak. As for the Re-saw fence, if I could go back I would take a pass. You can make a better one in the shop or get the Kreg. I find the Grizzly fence is loose, difficult to adjust/keep tight and less accurate than I would want.

Get the best saw you can afford. Price, size and no 220 in my garage were also factors. Your choice will be determined by money and what you will use the saw for.JMHO’sGood luck, Scott

-- Scott "Some days you are the big dog, some days you are the fire hydrant"

But, but, but,...! I bought the Rikon BS for $699 on sale at WC! Keep your eyes open, you never know when the Rikon will go back on sale again and the 14” Rikon blows the G0555 out of the water at that price.